Can I Get PHP To Query From Multiple Tables?

[deeanne59]

I will have several tables in my database, several of which will contain similar products. Is there a way to set up my pages where PHP will get the items I request from EACH table?

[coopster]

Sure, but the bigger question is why separate them? Why not store them all in one products table?

[deeanne59]

I probably could. I thought it would be harder to combine, say, 40 datafeeds into one massive table. Plus, I was assuming that it would slow the search of said table. I know I would also have to rename feed headers and move columns around in each feed to match database columns. Is there an easier way? I would love to find one.

[coopster]

Slow the search? Not necessarily, considering you optimize your table (INDEX it properly, etc). Is there an easier way to what? Combine datafeeds? I'm not sure I follow here. I guess you you will either need to condition/prep your data on the front end, or resort to multiple tables and queries on the back end, either way it is going to take some prep work.

[deeanne59]

My main concern is the column layout. Feed #1 is laid out: A,B,C,D,E...Feed#2 is laid out B,F,C,A,E....Feed#3 is laid out F,G,A,M,Z,B....I know I need to do some prep work, but the only way I can figure this out right now, is to open each feed and manually "move" each column to match the layout of my database. I wasn't sure if MySQL would upload the feeds in a different order, and then place them in the table correctly. That way I can do my other prep work, and not be as concerned with this problem.

[coopster]

Hmmm. What format are your feeds coming in? What about scripting the feed(s) using temporary tables? Then use an INSERT ... SELECT to populate the table?

[deeanne59]

I have a couple of feeds in CSV format...most are in TXT files. I am new to PHP and MySQL...so I don't know how to script into a temporary table. I am having to download every feed to my computer, doctor them up, create my PHP pages...then view on my computer using EasyPHP. Then I would upload my .sql file of the database to my remote server. Not sure how all of this will work...but I WILL persevere.

I might try creating separate tables, then have my PHP pages pull from each table, depending on what the page is about. That way the table will be in the same layout as the feed. All advice is welcome.